The Time of TroublesRussia Land of the Tsars: Video 6

Zach Davis

What was the Time of Troubles?

• The Time of Troubles was the segment of years following the death of the Russian Tsar Feodor Ivanovich (Rurik Dynasty), and the beginning of the Romanov Dynasty. The gap ranged from the years 1598-1613.

• Famine over swept Russia from 1601-1603 and killed off one-third of the Russian population (two million people).

• On top of the famine, Russia suffered from civil uprisings, usurpers, and imposters as a result of the occupation of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Causes of the Time of Troubles

• Harvests were extremely poor as a result of freezing temperatures in the nighttime, even in the summers. This destroyed many crops and made it very difficult to grow crops.

• The Huaynaputina Volcano erupted in Peru in 1600 which may have corresponded to the freezing temperatures.

• Due to insufficient amounts of food, mass starvation swept across the country.

The Government’s response

• In attempt to halt starvation, the government circulated money and food for poor the citizens of Moscow.

• As a result, people flocked to Moscow, which created an economic disorganization.

Other problems• Rural districts were not only

affected by famine, but by the plague as well.

• Large gangs roamed the country, stirring trouble, and proved the governments lack of power and authority.

• Rumors spread that the tsar's younger brother Dmitri was still alive and was hiding, although they thought he was dead.

Russia’s reassertion of control

• Whoever challenged authority was exiled to the loss of his lands.• The nobles were given control of the peasants to work their fields.• The country resorts to serfdom, in which peasants became serfs.

Sources• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_of_Troubles• http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h20russ2.htm• http://russia.nypl.org/level2.html• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

9ggZzZWVXzw